{{Infobox Instrument
|color1=#FFD700
|color2=#FFEC8B
|name=Steel-string acoustic guitar
|image=AcousticGuitar.jpg
|classification=[[String instrument]] ([[Plucked string instrument|plucked]])
|range=[[Image:Range guitar.png|130px|center]]
|related=
*'''[[Plucked string instrument|Guitar family]]''' ([[Classical guitar]], [[Electric guitar]], [[Flamenco guitar]], [[Bass guitar]])
*[[Lute]] (distantly related)
|musicians=
|articles=
}}

[[Image:Playing acoustic guitar.jpg|thumb|Playing a steel-string guitar without a pick ([[fingerpicking]]).]]
A '''steel-string acoustic guitar''', is a modern form of [[guitar]] descended from the [[classical guitar]], but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound. Strictly speaking, the terms ''steel-stringed guitar'', ''classical guitar'', and ''folk guitar'' all refer to acoustic (that is, non-electric) guitars, though some of these terms refer to different types of instruments (nylon-strung vs. steel-strung). The term "acoustic guitar" is a [[retronym]], since before the invention of the [[electric guitar|electric]] instrument, all guitars were "acoustic."

There are many different variations on the construction of, and materials used in, steel-string guitars. More expensive guitars feature solid [[tonewood]] tops (often [[spruce]]), sides and backs (often [[Rosewood (timber)|rosewood]], [[maple]], or [[mahogany]]). Lower-priced guitars typically combine solid tops with [[laminate]]d (layers of wood) backs and sides. Entry-level guitars are usually made entirely of laminated wood. Necks are generally made of mahogany (either Philippine or Honduran) and [[fretboard]]s are usually made of dense, tropical hardwoods such as rosewood or [[ebony]]. The various combinations of the different woods and their quality, along with design and construction elements (for example, how the top is braced), are among the factors affecting the [[timbre]] or "tone" of the guitar. Many players and builders feel a well-made guitar's tone improves over time.

Typically, a steel-string acoustic guitar is built with a larger soundbox than a standard classical guitar. Because such instruments must withstand higher string tension than nylon-strung guitars, heavier construction is required overall. Steel-string guitars use different bracing systems from classical guitars, typically using '''x-bracing''' instead of the '''fan bracing''' used on classical and flamenco guitars. (Another simpler system, called '''ladder bracing''', where the braces are all placed across the width of the instrument, is used on all types of flat-top guitars on the back.) Innovations in bracing design have emerged, most notably the A-brace developed by British luthier Roger Bucknall of Fylde Guitars.

Due to decreasing availability and rising prices of the premium-quality [[tonewood]]s, many manufacturers have begun experimenting with alternate species of woods or more commonly available variations on the standard species. For example, some makers have begun producing models with [[redcedar]] or mahogany tops. Some have also begun using non-wood materials, such as [[plastic]] or [[graphite]]. Most [[luthier]]s and experienced players agree that a good solid (as opposed to laminated) top is the most important factor in the tone of the guitar and that solid backs and sides can also contribute to a pleasant sound, although laminated sides and backs are acceptable alternatives. Some [[jazz]] players prefer laminated backs and sides.

''See [[Guitar]] for more details on the construction of acoustic guitars.''

Another style of acoustic guitar is the [[archtop guitar]]. This incorporates a top, either carved out of solid wood or heat-pressed using laminations, that is arched like instruments in the [[violin]] family, usually with f-holes rather than a round sound hole. These guitars are most commonly used by swing and jazz players and often incorporate electronics in the form of a [[pickup (music)|pickup]]. However, many other kinds of acoustic guitars may incorporate these kinds of electronics as well.

There are several prominent [[United States|American]] makers of steel-string acoustic guitars. [[Martin Guitars|Martin]], [[Guild Guitar Company|Guild]], [[Taylor Guitars|Taylor]], and [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] are known for both the quality and price of their instruments. The [[Selmer-Maccaferri guitar]] is an unusual-looking instrument, distinguished by its "D"-shaped or longitudinal oval soundhole. It is usually played by those who follow the style of [[Django Reinhardt]]. In Europe, several steel string acoustic guitar makers have gained a worldwide reputation, although their production output is small relative to US and Asian makers. Among the leading European brands are [[Avalon Guitars|Avalon]] ([[Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]]), [[Brook Guitars|Brook]] ([[UK|UK]]) and [[Lakewood Guitars|Lakewood]] ([[Germany|Germany]]).

The standard tuning for an acoustic guitar is EADGBE (low to high), although many players, particularly fingerpickers, use alternate tunings ([[scordatura]]), such as "open G" (DGDGBD), "[[open D tuning]]" (DADF#AD), or "drop D" (DADGBE). A common mnemonic for standard tuning is "Eddie ate dynamite; good-bye Eddie", which aids beginners in remembering the string tuning sequence from low to high.

One variation on the standard acoustic guitar is the [[12-string guitar]], which sports an additional doubling string for each of the traditional six strings. This guitar was made famous by artists such as Huddie Ledbetter (also known as [[Lead Belly]]), [[Pete Seeger]], and [[Leo Kottke]].

[[Image:Taylor415 acoustic.JPG|thumb|right|Taylor steel-string guitar.]]

==Steel-string guitar music and players==
Until the 1960s, the predominant forms of music played on the flattop, steel-string guitar remained relatively stable and included acoustic [[blues]], [[American country music|country]], [[bluegrass music|bluegrass]], [[folk music|folk]], and several genres of [[rock (music)|rock]]. The concept of playing solo steel-string guitar in a concert setting was introduced by such performers as [[Davey Graham]] and [[John Fahey (musician)|John Fahey]] in the early 1960s, who used [[country blues]] [[fingerpicking]] techniques to compose original compositions with structures somewhat like European [[European classical music|classical music]]. Fahey contemporary [[Robbie Basho]] added elements of [[Indian classical music]] and [[Leo Kottke]] used a Faheyesque approach to make the first solo steel string guitar "hit" record. Afterwards came [[Windham Hill Records]] which brought in elements of [[Celtic music]] to join the mix in this now-thriving genre. Today, scores of artists are steel-string soloists, including [[Al Petteway]], [[Alex de Grassi]], Duck Baker, [[Kaki King]], [[Steffen Basho-Junghans]], and [[Pierre Bensusan]]. Steel-string guitars are also important in the world of [[flatpicking]], as utilized by such artists as [[Clarence White]], [[Tony Rice]], [[Bryan Sutton]], [[Doc Watson]], and [[David Grier]].

[[Luthier]]s have been experimenting with redesigning the acoustic guitar for these players. These flattop, steel-string guitars are constructed and voiced more for classical-like [[fingerpicking]] and less for chordal accompaniment (strumming). Luthiers such as Ervin Somogyi, Eric Schoenberg, Kevin Ryan and Stefan Sobell have increasingly focused their attention on the needs of fingerstylists and have developed unique guitars for this style of playing.

Many other luthiers attempt to recreate the guitars of the "Golden Era" of [[Martin Guitars|C.F. Martin & Co]]. Bill Collings, Marty Lanham, [[Dana Bourgeois]], Randy Lucas, Lynn Dudenbostel, and [[Wayne Henderson (luthier)|Wayne Henderson]] are but a few of the luthiers building guitars inspired by vintage Martins, the pre-World War II models in particular. As prices for vintage Martins continue to rise exponentially, upscale guitar enthusiasts have demanded faithful recreations and luthiers are working to fill that demand.

Since its creation, steel string acoustic guitars have evolved as well. Due to the metal composition of the steel strings, guitar manufacturers have created acoustic/electric guitars where pick-ups are added to the acoustic guitar, allowing the sound to be converted into an electrical signal for amplification and higher quality recording. Artists are also able distort and/or add effects to electronic audio signals.

==See also==
*[[Classical guitar]]
*[[Archtop guitar]]
*[[Tonewood]]
*[[Twelve-string guitar]]
*[[Gibson Dove]]
*[[C. F. Martin & Company]]
*[[Avalon Guitars]]

[[Category:Acoustic guitars]]
[[Category:Folk instruments]]

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